The German social security system consists of five pillars: health insurance, long-term care insurance, pension insurance, unemployment insurance and accident insurance.
As a visiting scholar who is not under contract with HSU/UniBw H, you are only obliged to take out health insurance.
If you are to be appointed as a professor or given an employment contract at HSU/UniBw H, Division IV of HSU/UniBw H will provide you with the information and administrative support you need.
Health Insurance
In Germany, health insurance is obligatory, which means that you must have valid health insurance for the entirety of your stay in Germany, irrespective of your nationality or residence permit – with or without an employment contract. This also applies to family members travelling with you.
You already have to provide proof of sufficient health insurance coverage when applying for a visa with the German diplomatic mission in your country.
EU- and EEA citizens
with a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) have sufficient health insurance coverage for limited stays in Germany. This covers all medical treatment that cannot be postponed until you return to your home country.
Third country nationals
should ask their domestic health insurance provider whether they are covered for medical services in Germany and if they have to take out additional insurance to supplement these services.
If this is not possible and you are going to be in Germany for more than six weeks, you must take out insurance with a German health insurance company. The health insurance system in Germany is very complex, so please take a look at the details in the info box.
If you are a visiting scholar who is not employed by the University and you have a visa as per Section 18D of the German Residence Act, you can take out insurance with one of the statutory health insurance providers.
If you hold a scholarship for your stay at HSU/UniBw H, please ask your scholarship provider if it includes health insurance coverage.
Please note that foreign travel health insurance does not normally cover the full cost of medical treatment required in Germany in the event of accident or illness.
Liability and accident insurance
In addition to mandatory health insurance, we always recommend taking out liability and accident insurance for the duration of your stay in Germany.
Private liability insurance will cover any damage you unintentionally cause to a third party – whether personal injury, damage to property or financial loss. Otherwise, you will have to pay for the damage from your own pocket.
We also recommend that you take out accident insurance, too.
There are insurance companies that offer a comprehensive package of health, accident and liability insurance.
Further information below:
- Hamburg Welcome Center – General Information on Health Insurance
- EURAXESS – General Information on Health Insurance
- EURAXESS – General Information on Optional Insurance
- European Commission – European Health Insurance Card EHIC
- DAAD – General Information on Healthcare System in Germany
Letzte Änderung: 24. July 2025